(Windsor, ON) – The Windsor Spitfires are pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Bowler as the Club’s new General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Bowler replaces Warren Rychel, who served as GM for 13 seasons (2006-2019).
Rychel leaves the team with more than 500 combined regular season and playoff wins, including a trio of Memorial Cup titles over a nine-year span (2009, 2010 and 2017).
“Warren has been a great team builder,” Spitfires President John Savage said. “He will continue to be involved with the organization as a consultant, while his contributions to the franchise and accomplishments will remain an important part of the team’s history.”
Bowler has been active in the front office since 2015 and brings significant experience to his new role; having also played (1991 to 1995) and coached (2005 to 2007) as a Spitfire.
Over his four-year, Ontario Hockey League career, the Toronto native played in 250 regular season games, recording 149 goals and 318 assists (a league record that still stands). His 467 career points also remain a franchise record.
Bowler went on to play nine professional seasons in the IHL, AHL, NHL and in Europe.
“Bill is set to hit the ground running after working with Warren for the past few seasons,” Savage said. “We have every confidence in his ability to help keep the franchise moving in a positive direction.”
